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Apple FairPlay DRM

Apple’s FairPlay Streaming (FPS) DRM can securely deliver streaming media to client devices through the HTTP live streaming protocol.

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About Apple FairPlay DRM

Apple’s FairPlay Streaming (FPS) DRM can securely deliver streaming media to client devices through the HTTP live streaming protocol. With FPS technology, content providers, encoding vendors, and content delivery networks (CDNs) can encrypt content, safely exchange content, and protect playback in iOS, tv OS, watch OS, and Safari browser on macOS and iOS.

Benefits of Apple FairPlay DRM

Enterprise protection of your HLS audio and video

Uses and established key system already adopted throughout the industry

Native to iOS, watchOS, Apple TV, and macOS (formerly known as OS X)

Efficient power consumption on mobile devices

Full integration with Apple AirPlay

Licensed with no cost through the Apple Developer Program

Features of Apple Fairplay DRM

Hardware DRM support

All client environments that support FPS DRM, such as Mac OS, iOS,watchOS and tvOS, are highly secure at the hardware level. Widevine DRM can also be applied to Apple devices via the Chrome browser for Mac OS or the Widevine CDM SDK for iOS, but that is not suitable for premium content security because hardware DRM is not available.

FPS DRM is a must for content that requires a high level of security, such as the early-window movies from Hollywood studios.

Apple AirPlay support

FPS DRM natively supports Airplay, Apple’s wireless content delivery protocol. FPS content on Apple devices can be played on Apple TV through AirPlay without any additional coding.

Key delivery and decryption of FPS content played through Airplay is performed on Apple TV, the target device, with the same level of security as playing on the original device such as the iPhone.

Download and offline playback

Starting with iOS 10, download and offline playback of FPS content are supported. The relevant APIs provided by the OS can be used to handle downloading and managing HLS content with offline licenses.

Supported ecosystem of Apple Fairplay Streaming

Platform

Version

Mobile

Watch

OTT

Support formats for Apple FairPlay

Formats

Protocols

Streaming

Video

Video Codec

Audio Codec

Integration if you use Free Fairplay
service Directly from Google

For integration with Apple, you will need an Apple developer account which will be charged for $99/year. There are various components involved in order to have Apple Fairplay Service implemented listed below:

Key server and Key Security Module (KSM)

The key server manages the keys used for encrypting/decrypting DRM content. DRM solution or content service provider can implement a Key Security Module for FPS on their own key server by referring to the KSM sample provided by Apple.

KSM validates the key request data sent from the client and securely passes the requested content key.

Client Application

The FPS client app runs on Apple devices OS such as iOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS. It requests the key for FPS content to the key server and processes the response.

Content service providers can use Apple’s sample code to develop their own FPS client app or use a FPS SDK provided by a DRM solution provider.

FPS Content

To apply FPS to HLS content, each HLS segment must be encrypted by SAMPLE-AES method. The encryption method used for FPS content is AES-128 CBCS.

Using packages or solutions that support FPS packaging, such as Shaka Packager, the KEY tag can be added to the m3u8 playlist of encrypted HLS content with related information.

DIY Apple Fairplay

FairPlay Streaming flow on iOS/tvOS

1. Client app notifies the OS’s AVFoundation framework to play FPS content

2. AVFoundation downloads HLS playlist (m3u8) from content server and checks KEY tag

3. AVFoundation requests the key of the content from the client app (AVFoundation Delegate)

4. App Delegate requests Server Playback Context (SPC) data from AVFoundation

5. App Delegate sends generated FPS SPC data to key server

6. Key server interprets SPC data through KSM module and retrieves key required for content playback from key DB

7. The key server sends the retrieved content key to the client app in the form of Content Key Context (CKC) data.

8. AVFoundation Delegate in Client app enters CKC data into AVFoundation

9. AVFoundation decrypts and plays content securely using keys contained in CKC data. In Mac OS and iOS Safari, content key transfer and playback is similar to the above process. In this case, the Content Decryption Module (CDM) and Encrypted Media Extension (EME) standards built into the Safari browser are used instead of the implementation in the client app.

Why Choose DoveRunner Fairplay DRM

Simple setup

Offline Support

Pay as you go with Multi DRM service (WV,FPS and PR in a single workflow)

FairPlay DRM Integration Flow
(with DoveRunner)

Integration Document (with DoveRunner)

DoveRunner Multi DRM service provides integration APIs and SDKs to support various client environments such as PC, mobile, OTT, TV platforms.

DoveRunner Multi DRM service provides integrated DRM license management and client integration of PlayReady, Widevine, and FairPlay easily and quickly.

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FAQs on Apple FairPlay DRM

From mobile application protection to safeguarding your content, get quick answers to many of your security questions.

What security features does DoveRunner provide?

DoveRunner offers mobile app security and content protection solutions, including real-time threat analytics, app integrity protection, DRM, forensic watermarking, and anti-piracy measures.

How does DoveRunner protect mobile apps?

We provide code encryption, runtime application self-protection (RASP), anti-tampering, anti-reverse engineering, and fraud prevention to secure your mobile apps from cyber threats.

What content security solutions does DoveRunner offer?

DoveRunner protects premium content with multi-DRM licensing, forensic watermarking, and anti-piracy monitoring to prevent unauthorized access, leaks, and distribution.

Is DoveRunner’s security easy to integrate?

Yes! Our security solutions come with easy SDKs, APIs, and cloud-based integration for quick deployment without disrupting user experience.

Can I get a trial before committing?

Yes, we offer a 30-day free trial so you can explore our security features and see how they protect your apps and content.

Why is FairPlay Streaming essential for Apple ecosystem content delivery?

FairPlay Streaming is Apple’s official DRM solution, making it the most secure and seamless way to deliver video content across the Apple ecosystem. It ensures your videos are encrypted, protected from piracy, and fully compatible with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and Safari without the need for extra plugins or apps.

Can FairPlay Streaming be integrated with third-party video players?

FairPlay DRM is tightly integrated into Apple’s frameworks, so it only works with approved video players on Apple devices. While you can't use generic third-party players, you can build or customize players using Apple’s SDKs and APIs to support FairPlay securely.

How does FairPlay Streaming affect user experience on Apple devices?

FairPlay provides a frictionless experience for users. Since it’s built directly into Apple’s operating systems, users get fast, smooth playback without needing to install anything extra. It also helps prevent screen recording and unauthorized sharing, all without interrupting the viewing experience.

Is FairPlay Streaming suitable for educational and enterprise video platforms?

Yes, FairPlay is a great fit for education and enterprise. It ensures that confidential training videos, lectures, or internal communications are encrypted and only accessible to verified users on approved devices. It also supports license control features like limited-time access, offline playback, and device restrictions.

What types of content are most commonly protected with FairPlay Streaming?

FairPlay is used to protect a wide range of premium content, including: 1. Movies and TV shows 2. Sports broadcasts 3. Subscription-based video content 4. Online education videos 5. Internal training or corporate communications

Everything You Need to Know About FairPlay Streaming

Apple FairPlay Streaming (FPS) is Apple’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology that helps protect video content streamed on Apple devices. If you’re a media platform or OTT service, FairPlay is key to securing premium video content within the Apple ecosystem.

What is Apple FairPlay DRM?

Apple FairPlay DRM is one of the digital rights management solutions designed to protect video content delivered over the internet. It ensures that only authorised users and approved Apple devices can play encrypted content.

Used by platforms like Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, and others, FairPlay helps you meet studio content protection standards while delivering a seamless playback experience across Apple devices.

How Does FairPlay Streaming Work?

FairPlay DRM encrypts video content before it’s delivered to the user. Here’s the simple version:

1. Encryption:

Your video is encrypted using AES encryption.

2. Playback Request:

When a user presses play, their device sends a license request.

3. License Server:

A FairPlay License Server verifies the request and sends back a decryption key.

4. Secure Playback:

The video is decrypted and played within a secure environment, never exposed to the user directly.

This ensures the video can’t be copied, shared, or accessed without permission.

Which Devices Support Apple FairPlay DRM Compatibility?

Apple FairPlay is designed to work seamlessly across Apple’s ecosystem, with some extended support on non-Apple devices. Here’s a breakdown:

1. iOS and iPadOS

FairPlay is fully supported on iPhones and iPads through Safari, native video players, and apps built with AVFoundation or FairPlay SDK.

2. macOS

FairPlay works on Mac devices using Safari and apps built on native Apple frameworks.

3. tvOS

Apple TV and Apple TV 4K devices natively support FairPlay streaming. This includes smooth integration with the TV app and custom streaming apps.

4. Windows

While Windows doesn’t support FairPlay natively, content can still be played via iTunes or the Apple TV app on Windows 10 and newer.

5. Smart TVs and Other Streaming Devices

Some smart TVs (like those from Samsung or LG) and streaming sticks support the Apple TV app, which includes FairPlay support for licensed content. FairPlay is not available via Chrome or Android browsers.

What Are the Features of Apple FairPlay DRM?

Apple FairPlay comes with several key features that help protect your content:

End-to-End Encryption:
All video content is encrypted before delivery.
License Management:
Playback licenses are issued dynamically, per user session.
Hardware Security Modules (HSM):
Secure key handling prevents leaks or reverse engineering.
HD and UHD Support:
Ensures secure delivery of high-quality video without sacrificing performance.
Offline Playback:
Allows secure download-and-play options with time-limited licenses.
Session-Level Control:
Licenses can be tied to individual users, devices, and playback times.

How FairPlay DRM Protects Videos?

FairPlay protects your videos by:

Blocking screen recording on Apple devices
Restricting access to only authenticated users
Making it impossible to extract raw video files
Controlling how long and where content can be played

With these controls in place, you can confidently deliver premium video content without worrying about piracy or unauthorized distribution.

What is the Technology Behind Apple FairPlay DRM?

The architecture behind Apple FairPlay DRM involves several integrated steps that work together to securely deliver video content to authorized Apple devices. Here’s how it works:

1. Video Ingestion

Content creators or platforms upload their video files to a secure server or content management system. This is where media assets and metadata are organised.

2. Video Transcoding

Uploaded videos are converted into adaptive streaming formats like HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), with multiple bitrates for smooth playback across different network conditions and devices.

3. APIs and Plugins

Platform APIs and plugins handle video asset management, apply DRM settings, manage metadata, and initiate encryption workflows.

4. Encryption (FairPlay DRM)

Using Apple’s FairPlay DRM system, each video file is encrypted. Encryption keys are securely generated and stored, ensuring that only authorized playback devices can access them.

5. Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Encrypted video segments are distributed globally via a CDN. This ensures fast and reliable delivery while maintaining content security.

6. Secure Online Video Playback

When a user presses play, the Apple device sends a license request. The FairPlay License Server authenticates the request, provides the decryption key, and ensures the video is played securely.

7. Multi-DRM Support

In addition to FairPlay, modern platforms often integrate support for other DRM technologies like Google Widevine DRM and Microsoft PlayReady ensuring content can be securely played on non-Apple devices too.

8. Apple Devices

On supported Apple devices iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV the video is decrypted and played in a secure environment, with protections against screen recording, file extraction, or unauthorized playback.

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